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Finding a car rental in Denton is simple with Road Genius. Compare prices from dozens of suppliers all around Texas with no booking fees. Choose a low-cost pickup along University Drive or arrange an Enterprise hotel pickup, then hit I-35 for fast trips to Dallas, Fort Worth or the nearby lakes.

Car Rental Locations & Options

Map of campervan rental depots near 589644

While Denton doesn't have its own commercial airport, several convenient rental options are available.

Location Pros Cons Notes
Denton City Locations
  • Lower rates than airports
  • No airport fees
  • Some offer pickup service
  • Limited business hours (8AM-6PM)
  • May be closed Sundays
  • Advance reservation recommended
Multiple locations along University Drive (US-380) and near downtown
DFW Airport
  • Largest selection
  • 24/7 availability
  • Immediate availability upon landing
  • 30 miles (48 km) from Denton
  • Airport fees increase rates
  • 35-45 minute drive to Denton
Consider if flying into DFW or requiring specialty vehicles
Dallas Love Field
  • Good selection
  • Convenient for Southwest passengers
  • Closer to Denton than DFW
  • Still 35+ miles (56+ km) from Denton
  • Airport fees
  • Traffic on route to Denton
Better option if flying Southwest Airlines
University Locations
  • Convenient for campus visitors
  • Familiar needs of university guests
  • Walking distance from UNT
  • Limited selection
  • Busy during university events
  • Advance booking essential
Good option for university visitors

Enterprise Pickup Service: Enterprise locations in Denton often offer complimentary pickup from local hotels or addresses. Call the specific location to arrange this service.

Car Rental Prices

How much does it cost to rent a car in Denton?

On average, car rentals in Denton cost around $85 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $28 per day.

Saving Tips
  • Skip the airport markup: Rentals picked up in Denton city locations usually run 18-25 % less than DFW or Love Field. Add up the cost of the DCTA A-train or rideshare from the airport—if it is under about $40 each way, you still come out ahead.

  • Mind the calendar: Prices rocket during UNT/TWU graduations, homecoming and Texas Motor Speedway race weeks. If your dates are flexible, slide the trip a few days before or after the event window and compare again.

  • Check "weekly" even for 4-5 days: Denton branches often price a 7-day rate lower than five separate daily rates. Enter both options on the site and grab whichever total is cheaper.

  • University connections pay: Visiting or alumni? Many suppliers load a UNT/TWU affiliate discount (about 5-10 %) that only appears after you tick the "corporate/club code" box or show a school ID at pickup.

  • Fill up in town: Gas on University Drive and Loop 288 is usually 10-20 ¢ cheaper than stations near DFW. Topping off before the return avoids the rental company's pump charges.

Parking and Local Driving

Area Options Cost Where to Find It
Downtown/Courthouse Square Street spaces, public lots Free Limited availability during events; 2-hour limits for some street spots; small lots on perimeter of square
University of North Texas Visitor lots, garages Paid (hourly or daily rates) Strict enforcement of permits; Highland Street Garage for visitors; free after hours in some lots (check signage)
Texas Woman's University Visitor lots Paid (hourly or daily rates) Permits required in most areas; visitor spaces clearly marked; some free areas on perimeter
Golden Triangle Mall Mall lot Free Plenty of space; no time restrictions; major shopping destination
Rayzor Ranch Marketplace Shopping center lots Free Newer retail development; plenty of space; no time restrictions
Municipal Buildings Public lots Free City Hall, library; time limits during business hours; follow posted signage
  • I-35 Split: I-35 divides into I-35E (Dallas) and I-35W (Fort Worth) in Denton
  • School Zones: 20 mph when lights flashing, strictly enforced near universities and schools
  • Construction: Ongoing I-35/I-35E improvements may cause lane closures or detours
  • University Traffic: Congestion around campuses during class changes
  • Loop 288: Partial loop around eastern Denton, helpful for avoiding downtown
  • Right on Red: Allowed after complete stop unless signed otherwise
Why rent a car in Denton

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Driving Distances from Denton

FAQs

What's the best way to navigate around UNT and TWU campuses with a rental car?

Both universities enforce strict parking rules. Visitors should park only in designated visitor lots (Highland Street Garage at UNT, Oakland Street Visitor Lot at TWU). Avoid driving through campus centers when classes change, which is about 10 minutes before the hour until 10 minutes after. University Drive and Hickory Street get very congested during these times. We suggest you park your car once and walk between your destinations on campus.

Is there a convenient way to get from DFW Airport to Denton without renting at the airport?

Yes. You can take the DCTA A-train, which connects to DART's Green Line at Trinity Mills Station. From DFW Airport Terminal A Station, take the DART Orange Line toward Dallas, transfer at Bachman Station to a Green Line train going to North Carrollton/Frankford and exit at Trinity Mills. You'll then transfer to the A-train to downtown Denton and use a rideshare service to reach a Denton rental location. This trip usually takes 90–120 minutes and helps you avoid extra airport rental fees. (Note: the A-train currently runs Monday–Saturday, with no Sunday service.)

Do I need to pay for tolls when driving between Denton and Dallas?

You can drive the main highway (I-35E) between Denton and Dallas for free, though it has optional TEXpress managed lanes that charge tolls. Some other routes, such as the President George Bush Turnpike, also have tolls and you can only pay them electronically since there are no cash booths. Most rental cars come with a toll transponder that will bill tolls to your credit card plus a daily service fee (about $3.95–9.99). You can find free routes to most destinations.

What's parking like during special events on the downtown square?

When popular events like the Denton Arts & Jazz Festival or holiday celebrations are happening, it's hard to find parking downtown. You can find free parking on surrounding streets and in small city lots, but they fill up fast. You should arrive early (at least 30–45 minutes before events start) or you can park at the University of North Texas and take a short walk downtown. Some businesses will only let their customers park in their lots during events.

What type of vehicle is best for exploring Denton and surrounding areas?

A standard sedan works great for driving in Denton and making trips to Dallas. If you plan visits to Lake Ray Roberts or Lewisville Lake and need to bring recreational gear, a small SUV will offer more cargo space. The roads are in good shape and all major attractions have paved roads leading to them. If you are visiting during a rare winter ice event, a front-wheel-drive vehicle will handle local roads just fine.

Are there any good day trips from Denton using a rental car?

Denton is in a great spot for day trips. Popular options you can drive to include: the Fort Worth Stockyards (about 40 minutes) for a taste of the Old West; WinStar Casino in Oklahoma (about 40 minutes) for gaming; Lake Ray Roberts (15 minutes) for outdoor fun; the Dallas Arts District (about 45 minutes) for art and culture and Grapevine (about 35 minutes) for its historic downtown and wineries.

How early should I book a rental car for university graduation weekends?

For major university events, especially the UNT and TWU graduations in May and December, you should book your rental car at least 4–6 weeks in advance. Denton has a limited number of rental cars and demand gets much higher during these periods. Prices also go up as fewer cars become available.